LUIS ENRIQUE'S PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN SIDE THRASHED INTER MILAN 5-0 IN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL ON SATURDAY NIGHT - AND THERE WERE EMOTIONAL SCENES AFTER THE VICTORY FELIX KEITH 07:50,

01 Jun 2025 Luis Enrique paid a heartfelt tribute to his late daughter following Paris Saint-Germain's resounding victory over Inter Milan in the Champions League final. PSG secured

their first-ever win in the competition, thrashing Inter 5-0 in Munich, leading to emotional scenes post-match. Enrique tragically lost his daughter Xana in August 2019 when she was just

nine years old. She had been diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer, only a few months prior. The Spanish manager had previously guided Barcelona to Champions League glory

realised the significance of what Enrique was wearing, with many expressing huge emotion on social media. Minutes later, the PSG ultras unveiled a massive tifo showing the exact same photo.

Enrique appeared overwhelmed with emotion as he stood before the PSG supporters, having achieved a treble for the second time in his career, reports the Mirror. Article continues below

"I didn't need to win Champions League to think about my daughter," he reflected after the game. "I always think about her. I feel her presence. She's always with me

and my family. It's about taking the positive from a negative situation. That is my mentality. I was delighted to see the banner, but I didn't need a trophy to think about my

daughter, she is always here." On the subject of the mural created in his honour by supporters, he shared: "It was very emotional. It was beautiful to think the fans had thought

about me and my family." The 55 year old has previously spoken with deep emotion about how Xana continues to inspire him and his professional journey, even nearly six years following

her passing. "I have incredible memories because my daughter loved parties, and I'm sure she's still throwing them wherever she is," stated Enrique before the match.

"I remember an incredible photo I have with her at the Champions League final in Berlin, after winning the Champions League, planting an FC Barcelona flag on the pitch. "I hope to

be able to do the same with PSG. My daughter won't be there, she won't be there physically, but she will be there spiritually, and that's very important to me. I'm

motivated to continue moving forward with what life gives me, sharing it with my family." In the documentary 'Luis Enrique: You Have No F***ing Idea', released in 2024, he

provided insight into how he reminisces about his daughter and copes with her tragic loss. "My daughter came to live with us for nine wonderful years," he said. "We have a

thousand memories of her. You may ask whether I consider myself fortunate or unfortunate. I consider myself to have been fortunate. Very fortunate. "My mother couldn't keep photos

of Xana until I arrived home and asked her, 'Why aren't there any photos of Xana, mom?' 'I can't, I can't.' 'Mom, you have to put [up photos of] Xana.

Xana is alive.'". "She isn't in the physical [sense] but she is in the spiritual [sense] because every day, we talk about her, we laugh and remember because I think Xana

still sees us." Speaking on TNT Sports, Rio Ferdinand referenced his own personal tragedy of losing his wife Rebecca Ellison to breast cancer in 2015 when discussing Enrique's

achievement. "Luis Enrique is a remarkable human being," he said. "I have been in a position where you've had loss and it is difficult to know how you're going to

react. He has continued and gone from strength to strength." Desire Doue set up the opening goal for Achraf Hakimi before netting twice himself. He paid tribute to Enrique in his

post-match interview. "He's been here two years," he said. "Tactically, mentally a really good coach, an unbelievable coach. As a human being too. It's a pleasure to

work with him." Former Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard has heaped praise on the manager, stating: "Does Luis Enrique deserve to be mentioned in the same breath as Carlo

Ancelotti, Jose Mourinho or Pep Guardiola?" and answering with a firm "The answer is yes." He continued to laud the team's versatility and talent: "This team he has

created and put together over the past year or two can beat you in any given way. The talent across this squad - it is a special group of players and they're getting coached by a

special person as well." Article continues below Reflecting on his team's performance, the PSG manager remarked: "I don't know if we can call it a masterpiece but we got

off to a brilliant start. My team was exceptional this evening. We didn't give Inter any room to breathe." He also expressed his ambition after a significant victory: "The

only trophy missing from our cabinet was the Champions League. Now we have it - but we want to keep on conquering the football world."